Author's note: Hey guys, just wanted to let you know that the first chapter of this story has just been featured on the YouTube channel Reads & Reactions. Please check it out, the video's called The Marauders (Harry Potter fandom) reading. Alright, on to the chapter.
"There he is," said Angela Watkins, a Hufflepuff fourth year, watching as Sirius walked past with his friends. "He just acts like he doesn't care. Isn't he cool?"
"If that's what you're into," said Robin Montgomery, a girl in the same year but in Ravenclaw. "But I have to admit there is a sort of…charm to his appearance."
"You should ask him out," said Patricia Stephenson, a Gryffindor fourth year. "Like you said, he just acts like he doesn't care. Only an idiot would be stupid to ignore someone like you."
"I don't know…" said Angela.
"Just go for it," said Barbara Dennis, a Slytherin in the same year as her friends. "The worst he can say is no, right? Besides, I totally saw him checking you out."
"WHAT?!" yelped Angela, before covering her mouth, suddenly aware of how loud she'd been. "You did not."
"I did," said Barbara. "He's always discreet about it though, but it was definitely you he was looking at."
"But…why me?" asked Angela. "Robin is way cuter than me, and…"
"Fine, I'll ask him out then," said Robin, starting to get up.
"NO! He's mine," said Angela, shoving Robin back into her chair, though not making any kind of move to get up herself.
"So…are you gonna do it?" asked Patricia.
"I will," assured Angela, still sitting in her chair. "I'm just trying to come up with the best way to…approach the situation."
"She's chicken," said Patricia.
"AM NOT!" yelled Angela, again covering her mouth at how loud she was.
"Then prove it," said Barbara. "Go up there, and ask him out. Or the rest of us will. And let's face it, what teenage boy could resist three girls throwing themselves at him at the same time?"
Angela screwed up her face in frustration. "Fine," she snapped. "But I hate all of you." And with that outburst, Angela finally got up and started walking towards Sirius.
"Did you really see Sirius checking her out?" asked Robin.
"Pfft, no," said Barbara. "I just want her to stop pining over him and actually do something about it."
"She's going to fail, isn't she?" asked Patricia.
"Probably," said Robin. "But we'll be right here to support her when it happens."
"As soon as we're finished laughing at her," said Barbara, getting a small laugh from the other two.
Meanwhile, Angela was approaching Sirius. "Okay," she said quietly to herself. "Just do it. Just ask him. He's just a guy. He can only say no. He probably isn't as much of a jerk as he tries to make it look like he is. Just go for it. Just…"
"Hi there," said Sirius, who had turned around while Angela had been muttering to herself.
"Oh, ah, hi," said Angela, who felt her heart leap into her throat upon seeing Sirius right in front of her AND talking to her. "So, uh, hey, I, uh, want to ask you something…"
"Uh huh," said Sirius nonchalantly.
"So, uh, you know, I was wondering, 'coz, we have that Hogsmeade visit next week, so, I, uh," said Angela, fumbling over all the words. Angela took a deep breath. 'Well, here goes nothing,' she thought. "WillyougotoHogsmeadewithme?" Angela looked up at Sirius for a moment, waiting for his answer. Each second seemed like agony, and Angela was afraid she'd spoken too quickly for him to understand.
"Hmm…" started Sirius. "Nah." And with that, Sirius and his friends left, talking and laughing with each other.
Angela stared in shock after him, wondering what just happened. Did she say something to offend him? Did he not like her like that? What was the reason for his very quick response to reject her? Angela just sighed and went back to her friends, moping.
Meanwhile, Sirius and his friends were talking about what just happened.
"So, how long did you know she was there?" asked James.
"Pretty much from the moment we walked past her," said Sirius. "You don't think I don't notice how half the girls here are always checking me out?"
"Yeah, right," said Peter, disbelieving.
"Still, don't you think that was a little harsh?" asked Remus.
"I guess," said Sirius, shrugging his shoulders. "But I have my reasons." As he said this, Sirius saw Lily out of the corner of his eye. Shaking his head to get those thoughts out of his mind, Sirius continued down the hallway with his friends.